1 Timothy 4:3

"Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." (1 Timothy 4:3)

 

Paul, in his instruction to his younger disciple, Timothy, knew that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils". Timothy had to be warned and prepared for this, as do we. The message could not be ignored, for Paul had received it from the Holy Spirit who had spoken "expressly" on these matters. Certainly we are in the "latter times," and the message applies to us.

 

In addition to "speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron", we will recognize these false teachers by two of their doctrines (among others described elsewhere in Scripture). We can look for a false show of spirituality or appearance of piety and self-denial--in this case "forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats" .

 

In both cases, however, to teach or believe so is to deny the clear teaching of Scripture, for both were created by God for His glory and our proper use, and are intrinsically good.

 

Marriage was one facet of God's design. "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled"